An Australian woman accused of smuggling drugs into Japan says she is innocent as her trial begins

CHIBA, Japan (AP) – An Australian woman accused of smuggling amphetamines in a suitcase appeared in a Japanese court Monday after nearly two years in prison, saying she was innocent and that she was tricked into carrying them as part of an online dating scam. .

Donna Nelson from Perth, Australia, was arrested at Japan's Narita airport just outside Tokyo when customs officials found about 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of the stimulant, or phenylaminopropane, hidden in a suitcase the double-bottomed suitcase he was carrying.

Nelson, 58, said he got the suitcase from a man he met on social media and took it out of Laos and took it to Tokyo as instructed. He was supposed to meet the man in Japan but he never showed up, according to prosecutors.

He was arrested on the spot and later charged with violations of doping and tax laws. He has been in custody for almost two years.

Monday's trial comes weeks after the acquittal of 88-year-old former boxer Iwao Hakamada, who was sentenced to 50 years for unlawful killing. That case also raised concerns about Japan's closed investigative procedures and lengthy trials.

Nelson, in a brief statement at the Chiba District Court near Tokyo, said he did not know the drugs were hidden in the suitcase and that he had brought them to a man he thought he loved.

Prosecutors admitted that the case was related to a romance scam but accused Nelson of drug smuggling, saying he knew what was inside the suitcase.

Nelson entered the courtroom accompanied by two uniformed security guards who removed handcuffs and a rope from his waist as he sat down for the hearing. He kept looking at his daughters who were sitting in the audience.

It was an emotional moment for him and his family to see each other for the first time since his trip two years ago. Her daughters said they believe their mother is innocent.

One of Nelson's daughters, Kristal Hilaire, said she wants the court to know that her mother is a good person.

“He thought he would come to Japan with his love story. He had no other intentions besides that. That is what we need everyone to know and hear in court this week,” said Hilaire.

The daughter added that the family “is just trying to be strong because when my mother closes our eyes, I want her to feel our strength and that she will eat from that.”

During Monday's hearing, Nelson's attorney Rie Nishida said his client was the victim of a romance scam and “had a chance to trust him and his love.”

Nishida said the customs officials' limited ability to speak English led to misinterpretations and suspicions that Nelson knew what he was dealing with.

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AP video reporter Mayuko Ono contributed.